Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 132 - SIDE: Nickelson

Greatknight Nickelson of the Royal Guard.

Commander of the First Battalion—those who served directly beneath the King and the Church.

As a servant of the Church, he too had been branded—marked with the seal, bound by oath. And so he stood, powerless, as the bishop twisted the law to his liking... unchallenged, unopposed.

Not even Amoria could resist the bishop's ploys.

Until Van Hellix arrived. The very man Nickelson once tortured.

Now, in the quiet of his office, Nickelson watched his daughter bow before him.

"Father," she said gently, "there's something I want to ask."

"Speak," he replied, hands folded on the desk.

"Back when the dragon came... when it was about to strike the city... you—"

"You're going to ask why I wanted to flee, Cerille?" he interrupted, his voice cool.

She shook her head. "No. I know why. It's been years. You just wanted to keep me safe."

Her posture loosened.

"It's something else."

He leaned back slightly. "Go on."

She hesitated, gaze falling to the floor before lifting again—sharpened.

"You saw Van Hellix defeat that dragon. You witnessed his strength firsthand."

"And?"

"Then why provoke him? Why insult him? Why call him 'meaty'? Why act so... deliberately rude?"

Nickelson's breath hitched.

Cerille pressed on, calm but relentless.

"You have history. I know that. But were you trying to discredit him? To make him appear emotional in front of the others?"

A long silence settled.

He sighed, gaze drifting to the side before returning to hers.

"What's bringing this up now, Cerille? It's been a long time."

"I know." She inhaled deeply. "I just can't understand why you'd risk your life like that—especially when we were all on the same side."

Nickelson flinched, exhaling softly, his fingers tapping against the desk.

"Were it anyone else," she said, "I'd assume it was pettiness for the sake of it. But you were never petty without reason... not that I ever saw."

"...."

A few seconds passed. Nickelson sighed and looked away, clicking his tongue before sighing again.

Then, he drew a deep breath and met his daughter's earnest gaze.

"You know what we did to Hellix... before he and Magus Veil emerged from the city, right?" he asked.

Cerille nodded, her expression calm and unreadable. "I've learned. Yes."

"It..." Nickelson began, narrowing his gaze as he stared down at his palm.

"It didn't occur to me," he said slowly. "Not until you reached your teens—and I saw him again." He leaned back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the window.

"He was..." he exhaled, rubbing his eyes. "He was just a boy, even back then."

"And he was tortured. And I let it happen."

Cerille gasped softly, her lips parting as she caught the expression on his face—pure, unfiltered disgust.

"And when I saw him again... saving you. Saving all of us..." He straightened, locking eyes with her.